Screwdriver ratings?

I’m looking to update my collection of crap screwdrivers, especially the Phillips variety as the set from HF seem to be good for perhaps stabbing someone to death and little more. I’m not a violent guy so I really don’t have a use for weapons of stabbing people. I have great kitchen knives for that anyway. I have to watch my budget so I’m out of the super expensive brands, but I’m done with these Phillips head drivers made from aluminum foil or battery lead..Any suggestions for someone with a limited budget?

14 replies so far

The very best (in my opinion) are a German-made screwdriver made by WHIA (http://www.wihatools.com/). Not cheap, but I have never had one go bad. they fit the screw heads well, rarely slip, and the tips are hardened and don’t booger up.Screw drivers are something you will use often for a lifetime and are worth the cost, which in the scheme of things is not all that much.

Planeman

-- Always remember: It is a mathematical certainty that half the people in this country are below average in intelligence!

Wera sold by Lee Valley and others are excellent. Craftsman, other the other hand, has never IMHO been able to make a Phillips screwdriver that is slip resistant and isn’t so soft that it quickly buggers up. I ran across a like new 30 year old Craftsman that I had and it hardly lasted 6 months.

In addition to WIHA, WEMA and the tool truck brands (Snap On, MAC, etc.) make great ones. I know it sucks to think about spending $15 on a single Phillips driver, but when it is the last one you will ever own and the frustration saved, it could be worth it. I personally have an old set that has worked well, but seem to always need more, and WIHA is at the top of my list. A Klein 6-in-1 would also be a good buy.

If you are looking for above average, good quality set of screwdrivers that is priced reasonably, then in my humble opinion you should seriously consider Lifetime screwdrivers ,Lee valley sells them for under $50.

I’ve had good luck with the Kobalt screwdrivers from Lowe’s with the hardened tips. They’re inexpensive, mine have held up extrememly well. They have a lifetime warranty and it is truly painless. Walk in, grab a new one, drop the old one by CS and walk out.

The LV and WIHA are definitely superior tools. Just wanted to offer a more budget-friendly option!

Good points about buying a set to last because they’re not like buying toilet paper. A good set for under $50 sounds reasonable and if it’s going to hold up longer than a roll of tp it’s worth the investment..The problem I know I’m going to run into is my cheapo screwdrivers will ALWAYS be handy and I’ll never misplace them. The expensive ones on the other hand… I guess that’s just the way my stars are aligned. Maybe I should just take the cheap screwdrivers and grind them down to make nails out of them so I won’t have the temptation to think they’re worth the storage space in my tool chest. Luckily my kids are grown up and I no longer have them around looking for something to dig in the backyard with and my wife wouldn’t be caught dead with a screwdriver in her hand..I guess I’ve paid for the right to own at least one decent phillips head screwdriver.. ;)Thanks for the responses..